Braking system controlled by steering mechanism



Sept. 2, 1941.

I A. N. MI LSTEVR 2,254,902

BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROLLED BY STEERING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 23, 1340 FIG. I

r 27 I 4 25 G ,X 2e

A 5 INVENTOR f BY 5 Z2.N.MILSTER ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1941.

A. N MILSTER BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROLLED BY STEER'ING'MECHANISM Filed Feb. 23, 1940 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 2, 194

BRAKING SYSTEM CONTROLLED BY STEER- IN MECHANISM 'Arthur N. Milster, Ferguson, Mo., assignor to Wagner Electric Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application February 23, 1940, Serial No. 320,266

4 Claims.

My invention relates to braking-systems for vehicles and more particularly to a braking system that canbe controlled in a manner-to assist in steering the vehicle.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a braking system for a vehicle which is so controlled by the steering mechanism of the vehicle that the brakes can be employed to assist in steering the vehicle.

Another and more specific object of my invention is to provide means controlled by the steering mechanism of a vehicle for disabling a portion of a fluid pressure actuated braking system when the steered wheels of the vehicle are turned to change the vehicles direction of movement.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in v which Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a tractor vehicle provided with a braking system and control means embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a. view showing the control valves and the manner in which they are controlled by the steering mechanism of the tractor; and Figure 3 is a. schematic view showing the braking system as a whole and the manner in which the control valves are incorporated therein, the valves being shown-in enlarged section.

Referring to the-drawings in detail the structure embodying my invention is shown as being associated with a braking system and a steering mechanism of -a farm tractor'vehicle to assist in making short turns there-.

with but it may be associated with braking systems of other vehicles if found desirable. As shown in Figure 1, the tractor vehicle comprises a frame I on which ismounted I an engine 2 for driving the two nomdirigible wheels 3 and 4 by suitable well known mechanism. A double dirigible wheel 5 is pivoted by a post 6 (Figure 2) on the'front end of the frame for guiding the vehicle. The post is turned by a steering gear 1, a shaft 8 and a hand wheel 3 positioned adjacent the seat II) for the operator.

the piston and cup are in their retracted position they uncover a port hole IQ for placing the cylinder in communication with a reservoir 20 to permit expansion and contraction of the fluid in the system and to also replenish any lost fluid. A piston rod 2| and brake pedal 2| are/employed to reciprocate the piston. The mast i cylinder device is so mounted on the frame of the tractor that the pedal is convenient to the'operator when sitting on the seat (see Figure 1). The outlet of the cylinder is connected by a conduit 22 and branch conduits 23 and 24 to the fluid motors l5 of the brake assemblies H and I2 respectively.

In accordance with my invention I interpose a valve mechanism 25 between the conduit 22 and the branch conduits 23 and 24. This valve mechanism comprising two shut-off valves whereby fluid may be prevented from flowing to either of the conduits 23 or 24 under certain conditions. The valve mechanism is enclosed in two casing members 26 and 21 screwed together'to form a unit. The casing 26 is provided with a chamber 28 in constant communication by way of a passage 29 with the conduit 22 leading from the mastercylinder. A second passage 30 places the chamber 28 in communication with a second chamber 3| in the casing member 26 which latter chamber constantly communicates with the conduit 24 leading to the fluid motor I5 of the brake assembly l2 on the left hand wheel 4. A passage 32 in the casing 21 also places the chamber 28 in communication with a chamber 33 which chamber constantly communicates with the conduit 23 leading to the fluid motor I5 of the brake assembly I I on the right hand wheel 3. The passage 30 in the casing member 26 has associated therewith a valve seat 34 and cooperating therewith is a valve element 35 carried by a fluted stem 36 positioned in the passage 30 and extending into the chamber 3|. Similarly thepassage 32 in the casing member 21 has associated therewith a valve seat 31 and cooperating with the seat is avalve element 38 carried a fluted stem 33 positioned in the passage 32 and extending into the chamber 33. 'The valve elements. 3.5 and 38 are in spaced axial alignment and have interposed between them a spring 40 tendingto bias both elements toward their respective seats.

The control means for thevalve element 3.5 comprises a shaft 4| journaled in the casing member 26 and positioned in the chamber 3|. This shaft is formed with a cam 42'for cooperation with the end of the stem 36 in order to.

move the valve element 35 of! its seat. I The shaft is also provided with a shoulder 43 for engaging the side of the end of the stem to limit the rotated movement of the shaft in one direction.

When, the stop is engaged with the stem the cam is in such position that the valve element is seated under the action of the spring 40. The outer end of the shaft 4| carries an arm 44 for rotating the shaft and this arm cooperates with a stop the valve element 35 and comprises a shaft 46 journaled in the casing member 21 and positioned in the chamber 33. This. shaft is provided with a cam 41 for cooperation with the end of the stem 39.and with a shoulder 48 for engaging the side of the stem to limit the movement of 'the shaft in one direction. The outer end of the shaft has secured thereto an arm 49 which cooperates with a stop 50 on the casing member 21 to limit the rotation of theshaft in a direction to cause the cam thereon to unseat the valve element 38.

In order that the valve elements may be normally held in open position a coil spring BI is interposed between the two arms 44 and 49 and maintains these arms against their respective stops 45 and 50. With the arms in this position the cam '42 on shaft 4! will hold valve element 35 unseated. and the cam 41 on shaft 46 will hold valve element 38 unseated. Thus fluid under pressure is free to flow from the master cylinder to both fluid motors I5 of the two brake assemblies or in the opposite direction to permit these brake assemblies to be applied and released simultaneously. If the valve element 35 should be caused to be seated by the movement of the arm 44 then when the master cylinder is operated the right hand brake-assembly H only will beapplied. Also if the valve element 38 should be caused to be seated by movement of the arm 49 then when the master cylinder is operated the left hand brake assembly only will be applied.

In order that the valve elements can be controlled by the steering mechanism and so control the brakes that they may be employed in assisting short turning of the tractor the valve mechanism is mounted on the front end of the frame of the tractor adjacent the post 6 for steering the double dirigible wheel 5. As shown in Figure 2 the mechanism for operating the valve elements that they do not operate the arms exce t upon predetermined rotation of this post from its straight ahead position for wheel 5. Because of the position of the cams and their relation to the levers the cam 52 will engage and operate the lever 49 so as to permit seating of the valve element 38 only when the steering post is turned to' the left (as shown by arrow A) to make a short turn with the vehicle. When the steering post isturned to the right (as shown by arrow B) to make a short turn the cam 53 will engage and operate the lever 44 so as to permit seating of the valve element 35 only.

It is thus seenfrom the foregoing description that the braking system can be so controlled by the steering mechanism that the brakes can be employed to assist in steering the tractor. When it is desired to make a short right hand turn the steering mechanism will be moved so that the double dirigible wheel 5 and post 8 will be turned to its extreme position in the direction indicated by the arrow B. This will cause the cam 53 to operate the lever 44 and so position the shaft 4| that the valve element 35 will be seated. When the brakes are applied fluid under pressure can now only be transmitted to the fluid motor of the right hand brake assembly II and because of this wheel 3 will be held stationary.

' Since the left hand wheel will be free to be driven the vehicle can swing about the right hand wheel as a pivot. turn to the left the steeringmechanism is moved to swing the steering post and wheel 5 to their extreme" position in the direction of arrow A. This will cause cam 52 to engage and operate the arm 49 and so position the shaft 46 that the valve element 38 will be seated. When thebrakes are applied fluid under pressure can only be transmitted to the left hand brake assembly I! thus preventing the left hand wheel from turning. Since the right hand wheel will be free to be driven the vehicle can swing about the left hand wheel as a pivot.

Being aware of the possibility of modifications in the particular structure herein described without departing from the fundamental principles of my invention, I do not intend that its scope be limited except as set forth by the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a vehicle provided with a non-braked dirigible wheel and at least two other wheels, steering mechanism for the dirigible wheel including a steering column, a brake for each of said other wheels including a fluid motor, a source of fluid pressure,

conduit means connecting the source to both fluid motors, a shut-oil valve in the conduit means leading to each fluid motors, spring operated means for normally holding the valves open, and cam means carried by the steering column and operable when said column is turned a predetermined.- extent in one direction for so moving the spring operated means of one shut-off valve as to cause said valve only to be closed and when turned in the'other direction for so moving the spring-operated means of the othershut-ofl valve as to cause said valve only to be closed.

2. In braking apparatus, two brakes each including a fluid actuating motor, a source of fluid pressure, conduit means connecting the source to each fluid motor, a shut-off valve mechanism associated with the conduit means leading to each fluid motor and comprising a valve element biased toward closed position, a cam for holding said valve open and spring means for holding the cam in a position to maintain the valve open, a single .control element movable in two directions from a central position, and means operable by the control element when moved in one direction for moving the cam of one valve element against its spring means and causing the valve element to assume a position permitting-said element to When it is desired to element to assume a position permitting said element to be closed.

3. In braking apparatus, two' driving members, a brake for each of said members including a fluid motor, a source of pressure, conduit means.

connecting the source to each fluid motor, valve mechanism associated with the conduit means for selectively preventing fluid pressure from being transmitted from the source to each of the motors, said mechanism comprising a casing having a central chamber and two end chambers communicating therewith, said central chamber being in communication with the source and each end chamber being in communication with a fluid motor, valves for preventing fluid from flowing from the central'chamber to the end chambers, a spring interposed between the valves for biasing them toward closed position, a cam for opening each valve, spring means for normally.blasing the cams to positions holding both 1 valves open, and means for selectively rotating the cams so as to permit one or the other of the valves to be closed.

'4. In braking apparatus, two driving members,

mechanism associated with the conduit means for selectively preventing fluid pressure from being transmitted from the source to each of the motors, said mechanism comprising a casing having a central chamber and two end chambers communicating therewith, said central chamber being in communication with the source and each end chamber being in communication. with a fluid motor, valves for preventing fluid from flowing from the central chamber to the end chambers, a spring interposed between the valves for biasingthem toward closed position, a cam for opening each valve, levers for rotating each cam independently of the other, spring means for normally holding the levers and cams in positions to hold both valves open, and means between the levers movable in opposite directions for selectively moving the levers so as to permit one or the other or the valves to be closed.

Arrrrmn N. MILSTER. 

